Olla cover



Jan. 19, 1932. c. F. CHRISMAN OLLA COVER Filed Sept. 25. 1929 Inven'i'or Charles F. Chrisman by W ' A'H'ornevs Patented Jan. 1%, 1932 PATENT EFFHCE CHARLES F. CHRISIvIAN, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA OLLA COVER Application filed September 25, 1929. Serial No. 395,069.

This invention relates to water coolers, and has for an object the provision of a cover applicable to that type of water cooler now conventionally employed, for the purpose of improving the appearance of the cooler.

Another object is the provision of a cover for the porous jar commonly employed upon such coolers, the outer surface of the cover being smooth, andthus much more readily 1 kept in asanitary condition than the comparatively rough surface of the porous jar.

A further object is the provision of a cover for the porous jar or olla commonly employed in water coolers, which is capable under certain circumstances, of enhancing the cooling properties of the olla.

A further object is the provision of a cover of the general class described, which is of an exceedingly simple nature, and hence which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and yet which is of attractive design and there fore which is capable of adding materially to the attractive appearance of the assembled water cooler. In respect to this object, it should be pointed out that the appearance of the cooler is benefited not only as a result of the attractive design of the cover, but also as a result of the fact that the relatively smooth surface of the cover is more readily Kept free of accumulation of dust, and because the cover is capable of concealing from view the unsightly olla itself.

The invention possesses other objects and advantageous features, some of which, with those enumerated, will be set forth in the following description of the inventions particular embodiment which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional. water cooler having the cover of the present invention installed thereupon.

Fig. 2 is a vertical, medial sectional view taken through that portion of the cooler with which the cover is associated.

Fi 3 is a bottom plan view of the cover it from the cooler structure. In terms of broad inclusion, the cover of the present invention comprises a casing 'upon the fact that its walls are constructed adapted to be received upon the porous which forms a portion of the conventional water cooler, the purpose of employing the cover being to conceal the relatively unsightly olla from view, and to prevent to a material extent, the accumulation of dust thereupon. The cover is of such design that it adds mate- *ially to the attractive appearance of the entire cooler, which is an important factor from a commercial standpoint, inasmuch as the sale or rental of the cooler is frequently prevented because the prospective purchaser must, in order to enjoy the benefits of the cooler, install the device in a location where it is conspicuous.

The cover of the present invention, which is indicated in its entirety at 6, is designed to be received upon the porous jar or olla 7 which forms one of the constituent elements of the conventional water cooler. This ar 7 acts as a storage receptacle for water received from a supply receptacle or bottle 8, for which purpose an aperture 9 is formed in the top of the olla 7, permitting the bottle 8 to be inserted in inverted position with the neck 11 h of the bottle 8 extending downwards through the opening 9 in the olla 7. The olla 7 and bottle 8 are supported upon a suitable stand 12, there being ordinarily a catch-basin 18 resting upon the top of the stand 12 upon which the olla 7 is supported.

The purpose of the olla 7 is to reduce the temperature of the water stored therein, and depends for the carrying out of this purpose,

of unglazed clay, with the result that it is sufficiently porous to permit a material seepage of water therethrough, thus keeping the exterior surface of the olla dampened. During the evaporation of this moisture, a considerable quantity of heat is absorbed; and inasmuch as at least a large portion of the heat necessary to effect evaporation is drawn from the olla 7 and its contents, the temperature of the water within the olla is materially reduced.

However, this continual evaporation of moisture from the exterior surface of the olla, results in the collection of a coating of calcium and other impurities in the water, inasmuch as they are not carried off in the evaporation process. This coating is in the form of a white powder, and inasn'iuch as the olla itself is of relatively dark color, the water cooler will present an unsightly appearance after having been utilized for even a relatively short length of time. Furthermore, because of the fact that the olla is unglazed. its exterior surface is necessarily relatively rough, with the result that this accumulated coating can not readily be removed. In practice, it is found necessary to in'nnerse the entire olla in a solution of suitable chemicals to dissolve the coating, and of course, such a step is altogether impractical in the ordinary household or ofiice. In addition to tha accumulation of deposit from the water itself upon the olla, dust collects very readily thereupon and adheres thereto because of its continually moist surface. Particularly true is this when the cooler is employed in unusually dusty localities such for example, as in factories. It is obvious therefore, that there are several factors conducive to the coolers presenting a very unsightly appearance after having been employed for any material length of time.

Consequently, my invention contemplates the construction of the cover 6 of such material that its outer surface may readily be cleansed. Preferably the cover 6 is formed of sheet metal of suitable gauge, and provided with a protective coating upon both its inner and outer surface to prevent rust. This coating may be provided by galvanizing the metal, or by applying any suitable paint or the like. Preferably however, at least the outside surface of the cover 6 is enameled so as to add to its attractive appearance. This is considered an in'iportant feature because of the tendency at the present time to have kitchen utensils and other accessories relatively brightly colored, and obviously, the cover will be finished with enamel of desired color to meet the particular housewifes reqairements.

The cover 6 is fashioned so as to have a shape similar to that of the olla 7, but of slightly greater dimensions so as to be received thereover and to leave a space 16 intervening therebetween, Consequently, the cover 6 is ordinarily provided with a cylindrical portion 17 and a domed portion 18 at the upper end thereof. This domed portion 18 is provided with a central aperture 19 in registration with the aperture 9 of the olla 7 when the cover 6 is in operative position. The aperture 19 is considerably larger than the proximal portion of the bottle 8 when the entire cooler is assembled, so as to leave an annular space between the upper edge of the cover 6 and bottle 8, for the circulation of air therebetween.

A plurality of bowed, resilient strips 21 are arranged at intervals througzjl'unit the inside surface of the cover 6. Each of these strips 21 is securely attached at one end to the inner surface of the cover 6 as by soldering, while the other end is left free to slide upon the inner surface, the central portion of each spring clip 21 being bowed inwards so as to resiliently engage the outer surfaces of the olla 7. Consequently, these clips 21 serve as springs interposed between the cover (3 and olla 7, to properly support the cover upon the olla, and maintain the cover spaced therefrom throughout its entire extent, with the result that air may circulate freely through the space 16. The spring clips 21 are attached to the cover 6, both on its cylindrical portion 17 and its domed, portion 18, as clearly indicated upon Fig. 2.

A notch 22 is formed in the lower edge 23 of the cylindrical portion 17, permitting the lower edge 23 to be inserted past the faucet 24 which is conventionally provided on the olla 7.

Because of its relatively smooth outer surface, accumulated dust may very easily be removed from the cover 6, in contradistinction to the ditiiculty encountered in removing accumulated dust from the moist and relatively rough surface of the olla 7. Furthermore, the cover 6, inasmuch as it completely encases the olla 7, conceals from view the accumulation of unsightly sediment which collects upon the exterior surface of the olla 7 during its normal use. In addition to these functions of the cover 6, it is capable of enhancing the cooling properties of the olla 7, because of the fact that a current of air will almost always be present within the space 16. Particularly true is this when the cooler is installed, where heat from the sun or from any heating apparatus will reach the cover 6. This will serve to raise the temperature of the air within the space 16. sufiiciently to cause it to rise and pass out through the aperture 19, permitting cooler air to enter through the bottom of the cover. Obviously, this will set up a. draft which will materially enhance the evaporation of the moisture upon the outside of the olla 7, and thus increase its efficiency as a cooling agent for its contents. Therefore, the cover 6 is capable of adding to the cooling properties of the olla 7, not only by shielding it from heat, but also by setting up a draft which expedites the evaporation of moisture from its outside surface.

It is to be understood that the details of the invention as herein disclosed, are subject to alteration within the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A cover for ollas and the like comprising a removable unitary casing of a shape to cover the sides and the top of an olla and provided with an aperture at the top, and means secured to the inside of the cover of the casing and intermediate its ends for spacing the casing from the olla whereby the casing is suspended from and supported by the 011a.

2. A cover for ollas end the like comprising a removable unitary casing of a shape to cover the sides and the top of an 011a and provided with an aperture at the top, and resilient bow-shaped strips secured to the inside of the casing intermediate its ends and arranged in vertical planes for uniformly spacing the casing from the olla whereby the casing is suspended from and supported by the olla.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

CHARLES F. GHR-ISMAN. 

